Michael Gerson: Downward spirals of depression can be deadly

WASHINGTON — There are alarming consequences for the survival of human beings and the success of the society they inhabit when the brain suffers without treatment. And it has become frighteningly common for Americans to find their way into despair and self-murder.

More than 7% of American adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2017. Nearly 13% of the U.S. population likely took antidepressant medication during the past month, yet suicide rates have risen to the highest since World War II. The odds of dying from suicide or an opioid overdose — the “diseases of despair” — are now higher than that of dying from a motor vehicle accident.

These problems are tragically concentrated among the young.

Michael Gerson

More than three million people aged 12-17 had at least one major depressive episode in 2017 — most accompanied by some form of severe impairment. The highest prevalence of major depressive disorder is among people aged 18-25. Some claim these numbers have risen mainly due to increased reporting. But that can’t be true of suicides. The suicide rate for people aged 18-19 increased 56% between 2008 and 2017. The rate of suicide attempts among people aged 22-23 doubled in the same period. The number of emergency room treatments for self-harm has increased, as well as hospital admissions for suicidal thoughts.

America’s mental health crisis is very real. Yet explanations for this rising tide of despair feel insufficient. The trend doesn’t seem tied to broad economic indicators — though the death of the blue-collar economy in some places may play a role. Some have tried to blame the anxieties produced by a “gig economy” — but indicting Uber for human hopelessness seems a stretch.

Ready access to highly addictive opioids certainly is a source of numbed despair in many communities. Ready access to firearms plays a role in many suicides. Digital addiction and social media have transformed — and distorted — the social lives of most young people. Digital connection can deliver the poison of cyberbullying intravenously, in a steady drip. The withdrawal from direct, human contact with friends is associated with a variety of mental-health issues.

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A few things we know. Many Americans have tragically limited access to mental-health services. Some health insurance plans don’t provide adequate coverage. Some people are forced to drive long distances or wait on long lists. Some are discouraged from seeking help by continuing stigma. (About 20% of Americans have lied to cover up their use of mental health services.) As a result of all these factors, more than one-third of adults with major depressive disorder don’t get treated. About 60% of adolescents who have major depressive episodes don’t receive care.

We know that jails and prisons are not the best places to provide mental-health care — though likely more than 350,000 people with mental illness are currently behind bars. We should not trust many of these cases to the tender mercies of the penal system.

And we know that the deepest human needs can’t be described in purely material or political terms. Though friendship, belonging and shared purpose are intangible, they are as essential to humans as air and bread. Yet nearly half of Americans say they are often lonely. About 20% of millennials report that they have no friends at all. Many of us have lost faith in the institutions that once gathered individuals into common effort and identity. Many of us have grown rusty in the task of social connection.

Mental health is different from many other policy issues. It involves both a public debate and personal responsibility to friends and acquaintances — a duty of active, empathic, invasive concern.

Isolation is the growth medium for severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Without hearing some other, kinder voice, the echoes of self-condemnation can grow louder and louder. Without outside intervention, a downward spiral can be rapid, uninterrupted and deadly. People who struggle with depression need others in their lives who are alert to the signs of suffering and violate polite boundaries. They need someone who is willing to say: “You may not want to hear this, but I care about you and I’m worried about you. Please tell me how you are hurting and allow me to help.”

This voice can come from a health-care professional. It can come from family members, or from friends and colleagues, or from a support group in which the confession of need is expected and welcomed. On mental health issues, progress will be measured by increased focus and resources — but also by the loving welcome of our deepest selves.

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(9) comments

This is a topic that absolutely should be on the front burners of public issues. We are living through a transformative time because of technological change and disruption that is spreading through our economy, society and culture faster than we can digest it and make appropriate course corrections. In the confusion and volatility that all this causes we are going to face people sinking into despair and incredible pain, and we simply have to be ready to do a better job of helping them and -- by doing so -- helping all of us cope with this.

Millenials were left with and started off with, the ultra worst economy, since the Great Depression. Though it did start coming back, on the second half of the Obama Administration., it"s no wonder they"re overtly leery, especially with the current administration problems in Washington. Most Millenials, are an indeed pleasure to work with and I know of none, who live in their parent"s basement . Most important is the vast majority despise trump and his crime family and with God"s good grace they will be out to vote November 2019.

"About 20% of millennials report that they have no friends at all."............ Because they won't turn off their cell phones, tablets, laptops and home computers. They refuse to go outside and interact with other human beings face to face. They are their own worst enemy.

that seems true enough monteee. In this age where we are all connected electronically through social media there is more loneliness than ever. Millennials by in large are awkward when engaged in face to face contact. And I believe that is what our brains are hard wired for, not electronic contact. Mental illness is often the result of loneliness and lack of social interaction. Time to shut off the TV and computer and phones, and head to the Y or community activities or a church and get to know real people.

I'm not sure where you're getting your "facts" from, but these sorts of generalizations are easy to make when you don't actually talk to and get to know the real people you're generalizing. Time to "head to the Y" and start talking to some young people instead of just talking about them.

So, crank, you are going to attack martian for not backing up a generalization with evidence. I might dispute what martian said, too, but by and large not for him misstating anything other than messing up a little on the idiom. That is because, by and large, it has been my experience that younger people, particularly teens and early 20s, feel awkward when trying to carry on a conversation with people they do not know well who are of grandparent age, though they may be loquacious among their peers. Are there statistics to bear this out? By and large, I would say no, crank. But perhaps you, who did not offer any "facts" to dispute martian, have some to put this discussion to rest. By and large.

oh gosh you got me there crank! way to go! by 'n large I usually do a better job of the vernacular. I was merely stating my observations when dealing with millennial's. And I do interact with them fairly frequently, and yes many are great people, very generous and kind. By 'n large though I would say they need to connect more in person. Just an observation, and the suicide rate among the young seems to validate my astute analysis, by 'n large.

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